Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape

Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape is an adults-only jungle retreat in Buahan Kaja, about 40 minutes by car north of Ubud. Its 16 open-sided villas bring the sounds and greenery of Bali’s rainforest into the stay, with roll-down blinds and curtains for shelter and privacy. Each villa has a private pool, and the property also has a suspended swimming pool, a holistic spa and a restaurant. Come for a quiet stay close to nature, with local-ingredient dishes and daily activities such as yoga and guided treks.

A stay shaped by the jungle

Buahan is in Buahan Kaja, in the highlands north of Ubud. The retreat opened in 2022 with a design built around an open-to-nature concept: the villas, restaurant, lounge and spa are open to the surrounding elements. The jungle is part of the setting throughout the day, from birdsong in the morning to the sounds of wildlife around the property.

The retreat has 16 private villas, called bales, designed in the style of Balinese pavilions. Local architect Gede Kresna worked on the project, which uses locally sourced and reclaimed materials. Heavy pillars and reclaimed ironwood appear in the structures, while handwoven textiles dress the four-poster beds.

How the open villas work

There are no conventional walls or doors between the villa and the natural surroundings. Roll-down blinds and curtains provide privacy and shelter when needed. Each villa has a private pool, a living area, a king bed and a copper bathtub. An airflow system is used to cool the rooms.

The highland setting sits at about 2,000 feet, where breezes keep temperatures cooler than at lower elevations. That open design is central to the experience, so Buahan is a better fit if you want to sleep close to nature than if you need a fully enclosed room.